Vehicle running gear



June 8, 1948. C, T, QHARROW Y2,442,903

VEHICLE RUNNING GEAR Filed Jan. 13, 1.945 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 8, 1948. C, T, QHARROW 2,442,903

VEHICLE RUNNING GEAR Filed Jan. 13, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 8, 1948 vEnoLERUNNINGGEAR Charles .-T.: OHan .ow, Wauv'ato sa, ,Wis., assignor ApplicationJanua-ry 13, 1945,"S e1ial No.5'l2,-62i9 1e Gieene- (CL eel-.1.3m

:1 'I'he invention relates .to vehicles, and more particularly. to .running geanfor. land vehielesand the--monntingv-of therunning,A gear, on the vehicle body.

/It-isanobject of vehiele linvwhich `a, running .gear assembly v*and a `conrrlementary .support therefor; on 'the `Vehicle 4hodynre.connected witheach other through yan improved form of separable .connecting `device Whichigreatly..facilitates expedites the Work of -installingthe runningzgear assembly .on thevel-ilielebody and .removing it therefrom.

other .objectpnthe invention isto provide la separable connecting .device ofthe mentioned eharacter nwhich' issoeconstructed that thernnning. gear. .assmblyland its .comp1ementarysupport may-.be freely-moved'into .and vout of ..coop erativeengagement.Witheach other in ordento connect@ the? running. .gear assembly `in supported relation -with. the vehiclehodyand. to. remove` it tl-ierre'from,A and-.Whichsdevice willv ,alsobe readily operable, while. th'e runningy .gear..assembly and thecomplementary support are .connected insupported. relation witheach other,. to :lock thejrunning tof'release Iit for removal Afromthe.vehicle body.

.Afurther object of. the. :invention isl to, provide a separable ...connectingdevicef of. the. mentioned character including. a locking. .element which' ,will ibe .opera'blain .onedirection to .secure the reunning. gear-assembly in operative .position .on the .vehielebod-y, and .in .another :direction: to..release the.1.u:x rnig..-.gear.l assemblyA for .removal from the vehicle-bodyand-toinitiate .or assist. such' removal.

A morespecific .object .of the invention. is. to `.provide `an improved .detachable .rumiing gear `assembly..cornprisirigma. Wheel and a Asupporting axle therefonand to.;provide a .locking devicefor said assembly .which .will .be .readily accessible ,for manipula-tion, from the axially .outer4 side ofthe Wheel, soi that it will. be unnecessary. for aman ,to reach around the Wheel or to crawl 1under the vehicle .body when .v the runnmg vgear assembly ,ist-o be installed on or removedfromthevehicle i hotly.

A. still.- iurtherobject .of the .invention is to provide an improved detachable ,running gear ,mountingwhich is simple. in` construetiomfevcientand .reliable in operation, andwhich' may dferred.- embodiment,- of. the inventions ,shown in .theinVentiOn toprovide a i .gearassemblyfin.operative .position ,on and the aceolrnpanyingadrawings. .Referring -tothe drawings, `lin Vwhich ".likel 'reference'charaeters Edesignate.the same Jor,sinflilgar parts in t'h'evvafous views: t.

:Figa l 'is La: .Side VQWP a: 'Plaler 91' Selm '(591.1' -neetienvithien Jellienlefvevehe (.ift-.hfwr e .a wheeled waninefeeer .eeeemblyat .the aeefieide ofthe. trailer; being shew? i711.-.operelve,-p0eei9n, ende Ski. .for use lieuef the Wheeled running 'gear essemlelyheing. shownin neneletzile position;

Fig. 2 is a rear View of the trailer; Shown 'in Fig. 1;

Fig. yElv .is anenlargedsection von line yII-T'III Aof Eiga' 1; '.Fig. 4 .is a section online` IV-IMof Fig.,3. ETIietrailer. shown .in the Vdrawingsnas ,aeboxtype. nody structure k generally indicated by .the reference .eha'racter l, the bot-torn parthflthe body structure beingiorrned by a rigid-reetangular 4fra-ine'vvork .of suitable construction." As shown lin Fig's.-k1afr di 2l the'- frame Work comprises ea A11e eener ,eee eine egede *ef rece-eener eeeefeeetien ,and 12e-feller ireneveree. eel'feetihe ,me ,berefeeieedine et' flieht angles te ,fthe eide {betweenihe from.endrreerlends thereef,

the, .reeel/ere transferee `@fermeeimer member 'ieeiee. indicate@ at i4. in Fiee. 1 .and .2, andthe. fel- Werd .transverse .eeeneetine .member beineindi- .cated at l. 6 in ,.Fig. 1. Intermediate.transverse ,c nnee. ingimembels. 1, Bande indicated, inria l `extend v:loew/een .theside'sills parallel to the orward and.A rearward connectinglmembersfd and [6, 4kRandall ot the connectingllmembers are `tubular and. have arectangular ,cross-se :ctiongjthe'v height of. the. endrriembers-- and 6 .beingY the saine. as .thatof the.;.side} sind 2.1 and .,3. and 4the'. .heightfpf are intermediatemember. 1,; s aiidjsi, ,biziieapout half. et the height 'of the' 'idesilsf .'Ashwn'i'n 1 Zthe side 'Sflland connctingmebers; arers'eeured. together; las b`y (Welding,y "t lex- .eiiea wenn hemel relie; 'and .aap pan |I issecuredutoithe.unders e of. the .frame te Piel/fide. .el ,eleeref therefef! f ,hemelsI i 2 lere secured winnereieeeeftliesn eiusfomneiintlee. fleeebeerde l Steenen.. es. le. .et .ehewninfie- 15 'f-Aeretgeeneve; We. eviiebltmeu' den, the fremeee ige, temere eed.ihereefferhitelihehe .Jeeler te eereift Nelliele, Het eeewn- :Thebedy .etrllewref 'lf ofthe` trailer,... eeehewn Fiese. lee@ 2.1 ,iesunperted Qleeaireffereend .eeeeeiee felfeele eene l 1 ,whieh eremeeeted, at eppeeite; eisiee, eeepeetiyelyaef the( yehieeilbedy,

moved from the vehicle body, las will be described in fuller detail hereinbelow. Fig. 1 also shows a ski |8 mounted in an inoperative or transport position at the left side of the vehicle body, and a companion ski I8' is similarly mounted at the right side of the vehicle body, as indicated in Fig. 2. If it is desired to run the trailer on the skis, the wheels I6 and I1 may be removed from their operative positions in which they are shown in Fig. 2 and be remounted on the vehicle body in elevated inoperative positions, and the skis may be mounted in operative positions, as will be explained more fully hereinbelow,

The wheel I6 is part of a running gear assembly at the left side of the trailer and the wheel I1 is part of a corresponding running gear assembly at the right side of the trailer. Referring to Fig. 3, the wheel I6 comprises a flanged hub I9, a dished disk body 2| which is secured to the flange of the hub I9 by a circumferential series of bolts and nuts 22 and carries a fixed rim sec- `tion 23, a detachable rim section 24 which is secured to an inwardly projecting flange of the fixed rim section 23 by a circumferential series of bolts and nuts 26, and a pneumatic tire 21 mounted between the rim sections 23 and '24. The wheel I6 is rotatably mounted on a stub axle 28 which has a h'ollow spindle portion within the hub I9 and a hollow shank portion in axial alinement with the hollow spindle portion and projecting from the hub at the axially inner side of the wh'eel I6.

The opposite end faces of the stub axle are indicated at 29 and 3|, and the stub axle has Ia portion 32 of largest diameter approximately at the middle between said end faces. The portion 32 is of relatively short axial length and has a smoooth cylindrical outer surface for cooperation with an oil seal 33. `Next to the portion 32, and at the right thereof in Fig. 3. the stub axle is turned down to provide a cylindrical seat and a radial abutment for the inner race of a roller bearing 34 the outer race of which is fitted into the hub |9 and bears axially against an internal shoulder 36 of the hub. Another roller bearing 31 is operatively interposed between the stub axle 28 and the hub I 9 at a suitable axial distance from the roller bearing 34 and comprises anouter race which bears axially against an internal shoulder 38 of the hub and an inner race which is tted upon'a turned down cylindrical portion of the stubaxle 28 for adjustment axially thereof. Next to the inner race of the roller bearing 31 and at the right thereof in Fig. 3 an external screw thread 39 is cut into the stub axle 28 and also a keyway 4|. Screwed upon the thread 39 is a nut 42 which provides an axial abutment for the inner race of the roller bearing 31 and which is adjusted to such a position th'at the roller bearings 34 and 31 will properly function to support the wheel |6 on the stub axle 28 for free rotation thereon without appreciable axial play. The nut 42 is locked in adjusted position by means of a second nut 43 and a lockwasher 44 which h'as a circumferential series of external prongs bent alternately over the flats of the nuts 42 and 43, and a radial inwardly projecting tongue within the keyway 4I for positively securing the lockwasher land nuts against rotation on the stub axle. Next to the screw thread 39 and at the righ't side thereof in Fig. 3 the stub axle has a short cylindrical outer surface for cooperation with an oil seal 46. The oil seal 46 is mounted in a cover 41 which is secured tothe end of the hub I9 at the axially outer side of the 4 wheel by a circumferential series of cap screws' 48.

Next to th'e central portion S2 of the stub axle 28 and at the left side thereof in Fig. 3, the stub axle is turned down to provide a tapered shoulder 49, and a flat 5| is milled into the tapered shoulder 49 at the upper side of the stub axle as shown more clearly' in Fig, 4. The smaller end of the tapered shoulder 49 merges with Aa -cylindrical portion 52 of th'e stub axle, and next to the portion 52 the stub axle has a relatively long circumferentially recessed portion 53. A cylindrical end portion 54 of the stub axle extends between the recessed portion 53 and the end face 3| and has a smooth outer surface of slightly larger diameter than the cylindrical portion 52.

A complementary support for the running gear assembly comprising the wheel I6 and stub axle 28 is mounted on the body structure of the trailer, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The complementaryl support comprises a U-shaped plate member' 56', "a Vertical transverse` rear plate 58 (Fig. 2) and a similar vertical transverse front plate connected with the plate member 56, as by welding, to form a box-type bracket, and a socket tube 59 which is mounted in and extends laterally from the bracket. As shown in Fig. 3, th'e U-shaped plate member 56 is supported on the side sill 2 of the trailer frame in a depending position, one `of the legs of the bracket overlapping the side sill vat its outer side and being suitably secured thereto, as by welding. The other leg of the U-plate 56 extends upwardly under the trailer frame and is connected at its upper end, as by welding, to th`e lower llange of the adjacent channel I2. Asshown in Fig. 2, the box bracket comprising the plates 56 yand 58 is braced by a diagonal strut. 69 which is secured at its lower end to a lower portion of the U-plate 56 and at its upper end tothe transverse connecting member 8 of the trailer frame. The legs ofthe U- plate 56 have alined holes accommodating th'e socket tube 59 and the latter is secured in axially fixed position on the U-plate, preferably by welding around the holes. Longitudinal reinforcing tubes 6| `and 62 extend in the space between the legs of the U-plate 56 above and below the socket tube' '59, and are secured, as by welding, in holes of the front and rear plate 58 of the bracket.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, another transverse socket tube' 63 is mounted on the box-type bracket in a higher position than the socket tube 59, the socket tube 63 being an exact duplicate of the socket tube 59 and serving to support the stub axle 28 when the ski unit is in operative position, as will be explained more fully hereinbelow.

Referring again to Figl 3, a screw tapped hole 64 of appreciable axial length is formed at th'e inner end of the socket tube 59, and a tapered seat 66 is formed at the outer end of the tube. Next to the wide end of the tapered seat 66 the socket tube 59 has a projection 61 which as shown in Fig. 4 is of segmental shape and which' may be formed conveniently by feeding a milling cutter radially into the outer end of the tube so that it will advance along the chord of the segmental projection while cutting .off a suitable portion of the tube. The portion of thesocket tube 59 which' extends from the small endof the tapered seat 66 towards the tapped hole 64 is bored out to provide a relatively long cylindrical surface 68, the diameter of the bore being such that the cylindrical end portion 54 of the stub axle 28 will have a telescopic nt within thesocket tube 59. The taper of the seat 66 on the socket tube 59 is the same as the taper of 'the shoulder 49on the stubaxle 28, and `inthe assembled position of the partsas .shown in Fig. A3 the flat5=l on .the'tapered shoulder lill cooperates with the chord ofthe segmental projection Bl on the socket tube-59 -to prevent `the stub axle from rotating Withinithe socket tube. v

As mentioned hereinbefore, the spindle portion ofthe lstub axle 23 which extends into Vthe Wheel hub I9 andthe shank vportionof the stub vaxle which extends into the sockettube .-59 Vare hollow, and these hollow axle and spindler portions are-so arranged as to provide an axial ,passage Within the Astub axle 28. In-other Words, the stub faxle 28 'has an axial passagefs which extendsftherethrough from the end face 29 vto the `end face 3l, and'which as shown inFig. 4 has a circular cross-` section. A Ilong bolt passing through 1.the-axial passage comprises a solid shank portion H of circular `cross-section, aradiallyl enlarged'threaded end `portion lf2 screwed into the tapped hole 64 ofthe socket tube `59, and a hexagonal head 1.3 at the axially outer end of the stub axle 28. The threaded end portion 'l2 of the bolt and the shank portion 'H are formed in one piece, and the hexagonal head 'E3 consists of -a nut which is screwed upon a threaded end portion of the shank 'l-l and is permanently secured thereto by a plug -weld lil. The part-of the shank 1l which extends between the radially enlarged end portion '12 and the head T3 is of slightly smaller diameter than the axial passage 69 of the stub axle 28, and a lockwasher 'l5 is interposed between the end face'29 of the stub axle and ythe head 13.

The foregoing explanations with reference to Fig. 3 apply to the wheeled running gear assembly at the near side of the trailer shown in Fig. l. The wheel Il at the other side of the trailer forms part of a running gear assembly which is an exact duplicate of the running gear assembly comprising the wheel I6 and stub axle 28, and what has been said hereinbefore regarding the construction and mounting of the wheel lli similarly applies to the constructionand mounting of the wheel Il. Like the left running gear assembly comprising the Wheel IE, the right running gear assembly comprising the Wheel il has a complementary support on the body structure of the trailer, and the complementary support for vthe right running gear assembly is an exact duplicate of the complementary support for the left running gear assembly. It is mounted, as indicated in Fig. 2, on the side lsill 3 of the trailer frame and has a socket tube 59 which corresponds to and is axially alined with the socket tube 59, so that the wheels I6 and l1 will be rotatable on a common axis when the right and left wheeled running gear assemblies are mounted in operative position on the body structure of the trailer. The parts 58', 60' and 63 at the right side of Fig. 2 are duplicates ofthe corresponding parts 58,'50 and 6'?. at the left side of Fig. 2.

In order to remove the wheeled running gear assembly comprising the wheel 'I6 and the stub axle -28 from its operative position in which it is shown in Figs. '1, 2 .and 3, the trailer is rst jacked up to relievethe wheel 'I6 of the load of the vehicle body. A wrench is `then applied to the hexagonal head 'I3 of the bolt or connecting element 1I, 12, 13, and since the head 13 is plug welded to the shank, as stated, turning of the head l'I3 by means of the Wrench will cause the threaded head 'l2 to'turn Withinthe tappedhole 64 of the socket tube 5B. Rotation of the'bolt 6 l-l, 112, 1:3 in -anticlockWise-directicn as ayiewed from nthe axially outer `side ,-ofv Vthe .-W l ieel, .-Will cause axial outward .movementof -the-bolt due to @cooperation :of .the ithreadedhead i2 Ywith lthe threadfof .the V#tapped hole-.54', ,and as -a result, thefstub axle T28 -will-rstbe relieved of f the axial inwardipressure 'by the head J3 Eto whichiit-is normally subjected in order ito `hold the tapered shoulder ,A9 l,on 'the i `stub axle irmly .-in ,engagementi with ithe .tapered vseat -B f of fthe' sockettube 59. Due tothe Wedging :eectbetweentheyshoulderag and seat 616 or other -,causes,f.t'he .stub .axle 28 may notbecome freely movable if or f axial :displacement ywithin the `socket Atube '59 after Afthe firstfewrturns of the'bolt all, 12,Y 'lin anticlock- Wise direction, Aand :in that case the stub :axle 23 Awill remain in :the axial position relative :.to the sockettube .59, in which it isfshownf-in fFig. 3, rwhileathe bolt `moves .axia1ly .within the .internali passage iii)v ofthe stub:axleduringI theffrst few turns of the bolt in anticlockwise direction. It 4will be noted,however, that the=threadedghead T2 iforms. an' axial-abutment on; the @shank H fof the bolt,fandfth'at1the ythreaded head :1'2 has sa sufficient axialzlength, so ethattthe Himay engage the end lfa'ce .3 I 'of the stub axle ,285 M0011 continued rotation of :the :bolt Ainianticlockwise direction. shownfin theuaxialfspacing between theirendfface i3 I .of-the stuhl axle .candsthe end ttheltapp'edy hole 2313 next to the-end face 3l is :considerably shorter than the axial vlength of th'e'threadedlhead i12. Accordingly, .when the stub axle 28 is wedged.oristuckWithinttheisocket tube .5am the .positionin `which itis shiowni in Fig-'3, rotationfofthelrbolt l|,"'|2, lainantiolock- Wise direction Willfrst :bring fthe head '.112 tinto axial engagement Withthe end face i3] oit the; stub axle, .an'dbyicontinued lanticlockwiselrotationzof the 'bolt apowerful axial thrust `rnaybe'.-zexertecl upon thestub axle 28 `for.positivelyirncwingeit some 'distance axial-ly Within thefsoeketitubei!! before' the threaded' head l2` becomes Ydisengaged fromthe`tapped holeteli. Such. initial positive axial I'movement of 4the Astub..axfle-avill: ordinarily loosen it suiciently' withinthe vsocketrtube 59,-.50

that when lthe threaded head -lzZabecomes-:disengaged from the holei, the shank portion-fofzthe stub axle lmay lbe Yremoved telescopically from the socketftube by axiall outward-withdrawal of the entirel running gear vassembly. comprising the wheel I6 and they stub ax-le' 128. Durng such Withdrawal, the bolt'll 72,'713will remain loosely connected with` the-stub axle, its :axial .separation therefrom beingprevented by the heads'klzrand 13.

In or'der to install the wheeled running `gear assembly'comprising thewheel I6 .and .thelstulb axle'23 inits operative positionwon lthe `trai-ler frame, the Wheel and -axle are manipulatedas an assembled unit, to insert the cylindrical `enfdportion 7 54 of the stub Vaxle 28 .intolthe axiallyiouter end' ofthe socket tubef 59. 'The threaded -head'l'f of theboltll, '12, '13 enterst the socketftubeitogether with the end. -portionLd ofi thestubsaxle, and the shank portion of' the :stub-.axle ris then pushed into the socket tube byv .proper' manipulation of'the running` gear assembly, iuritilathe threaded head 'l2 of the bolt abuts, theithreaded hole y513 yofy the socketf` tube, Thewcylindrzicalwend portion 54 andthe cylindrical Aportion rzwoftthe stub axle now cooperate with the bore .GSHofthe sockettube to :provisionally support thezwheeled running gear assemblylon .the trailer trame. The tapered shoulder 249 .of l the.l stub taxle -:and the tapered seat-:86 .of .the socket tube'.l59x.are:.axially separated from eachother in this provisionally supported position of the running gear assembly on the trailer frame, and before the shank portion of the stub axle is inserted into the socket tube the stub axle is turned to the proper position so that the at I on the shoulder 49 will face upwardly. Next, in order to bring the tapered shoulder 49 upon the seat 66 of the socket tube 59, a wrench is applied to the hexagonal head 13 of the bolt 1I, 12, 13, and by turning the bolt clockwise andY simultaneously pushing it towards the vehicle body the threaded head 12 may be started in the tapped hole 64. By continued clockwise rotation of the bolt the stub axle will then be forced inwardly until the tapered shoulder 49 becomes firmly seated on the tapered seat 66 of the socket tube 59. As a result, the stub axle 28 will then be securely retained in the socket tube 63, and the wheel I6 will be supported on the trailer in operative position, as indicated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

A second socket tube 63 is mounted, as mentioned hereinbefore, on the box-type bracket 56, 51, 58 and at a higher level than the sockettube 59, the tube 63 being an exact duplicate of the socket tube 59. Accordingly, when it is desired to mount the running gear assembly I6, 28 in an inoperative position on the trailer in order to prepare the trailer for running on the skis, the stub axle 28 may be mounted on the socket tube 63 and fixed in position thereon in the same manner as has been explained hereinbefore in connection with the socket tube 59.

The ski unit at the left side of the trailer, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, comprises a wooden ski I 8, a ski bracket 14 rigidly secured to the ski, and a ski support 16 which is pivotally connected at 11 with the ski bracket 14, and which is detachably connected to a bracket 18 on the trailer frame by means of bolts 19 and 8|, the support 16 being forked to straddle the bracket 18. A pair of chains 82 and 83 are suitably arranged between forward and rearward portions, respectively, of the ski I8 and the trailer frame for retaining the ski in horizontal position on the pivot 11, In its inoperative position as shown in Fig. 1, the ski I8 serves as a fender for the wheel I6.

In order to mount the ski unit at the left side of the trailer in its operative position after the wheel I6 and associated parts have been removed from the socket tube 59, the ski unit is first detached from the trailer by withdrawing the bolts 19 and 8| and disconnecting the chains 82 and 83 from the trailer frame. The detached unit is then turned around and placed into position for attachment to the bracket 56, with the running surface of the ski I8 facing downwardly and the free end of the bracket 16 straddling the bracket 56. The bolts 19, 8| are then inserted through holes 84, 86 (Fig. 2) in the ski support 16 and through the reinforcing tubes 6I, 62, and upon tightening of the nuts on the bolts 18, 8| the ski support will be securely nxed in operative position on the trailer frame. The chains 82 and 83 may be suitably arranged between the inverted ski I8 and the trailer frame, preferably with some slack, to limit rocking movement of the ski I8 about the pivot 11.

Another ski unit at the right side of the trailer, as shown in Fig. 2, comprises a ski I8', a ski bracket 14', a ski support 16', and a pivot 11', which parts are duplicates of the corresponding parts at the left side of the trailer. The ski unit at the right side of the trailer is arranged for mounting on the trailer frame in the same man- 8 ner as the ski unit at the left side of the trailer, and the vforegoing explanations with reference to the ski unit at the left side of the trailer similarly apply tothe ski unit at the right side of the trailer.

The wheeled running gear assemblies at the opposite sides of the trailer are constructed and arranged so that they may be removed conveniently from the trailer frame while the ski units are supported on the trailer frame in inoperative position as shown in Fig. 1, and after the ski units have been arranged in their operative positions, the wheeled running gear assemblies may be conveniently reinstalled on the trailer by mounting them on the socket tubes 63 and 63', respectively Similarly, when it is desired to move the ski units from their operative positions to their inoperative positions (Fig. 1), the wheeled running gear assemblies may rst be removed from their inoperative positions and after the ski units have been installed in their inoperative positions (Fig. l) the wheeled running gear assemblies may be conveniently installed in their operative positions (Fig. 1).

From the `foregoing explanations it will be apparent that the wheeled running gear assembly at either side of the trailer may be conveniently installed on the body structure of the trailer dn either an operative or an inoperative position. Each of the socket tubes 59, 63 represents an element forming one part of a telescopic joint, and the stub axle 28 forms a complementary part of said joint, the axial passage 69 of the stub axle being in alinement with the axis of the joint. The telescopic joint serves to suitably position the wheeled running gear assembly on the bodystructure of the trailer, and the joint may be readily separated for the purpose of removing the running gear assembly from the body structure of the trailer. W'hile the running gear assembly is supported on the body structure of the trailer, the bolt 1I, 12, 13 may be turned in one direction to secure the running gear assembly in axially nxed position on the -body structure, and the bolt may be turned in the opposite direction to release the running gear assembly for removal from the body structure. Rotation of the bolt in the opposite direction, moreover, will be effective, as explained hereinbefore, to move the threaded head 12 of the bolt into axial engagement with the end face '3| of the stub axle 26, and removal of the running gear assembly may therefore be initiated or assisted by rotation of the bolt in said opposite direction. In order to lock and unlock the running gear assembly only one connecting element, namely the bolt 1I, 12, 1.3 has to be manipulated, and the hexagonal head 1,3 of this bolt is readily accessible for manipulation from the axially outer side of the wheel. The work of installing the wheeled running gear assemblies on the body structure of the trailer and of removing them therefrom can therefore be performed quickly and conveniently without necessity of demounting the wheel from the stub axle or of having a man crawl under the trailer or reach around the wheel.

While in the foregoing a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed with reference to the drawingsfit should be understood that lit is not intended to limit the invention to the specific construction herein disclosed for various modifications within the scope of the appended claims mayr occur to persons skilled in the art.

It. is` claimed and desired: to. secure by Letters Patentz: ,1

1f. In: a vehicle having'an axle support comprising an element forming the outerpart off a telescopic joint, the combination. oi.` an: axle element forming a complementary inner part of said telescopic joint and having an axial passage therethrough, means including a connecting element extending through said passage-andi having portion cooperating withl said complementary joint part andanother portionl releasably cooperating with said' outer joint part, for securing said joint parts in axially xedposition relative to each other, and means for mounting aground engaging supporting clement on said: complementary joint part.

2. In a vehicle having a-n axle support comprising an element forming the outer part of a telcscopic joint, the combination of an axially screw threaded portion at oneV end of said outer joint part, an axle element form-ing a complementary inner part or said telescopic joint and havin-g a passage therethrough in a-xial alinemen-t with said screw threaded portion, a connecting element extending throughl said passage andl cooperatively engaging said threaded portion of said outer joint part and. a portion or said com-plementary joint part, said connectingelement ibeing operative, upon rotation thereof in one direction, to secure said joint parts against axial separationv from each other, a shoulder formed on said connecting element and' abuttahle against said complementary joint part and operative, upon rotation of said connecting element in the opposite direction, to axially move said complementary joint part relative to said outer joint part, and means for mounting a ground engaging supporting element on said complementary joint part.

3. A device for detachably mounting a wheel on a support, comprising, lin combination, an. element forming one part of telescopic jointY and having a screw threaded portion in alinement with the axis` of said joint, means for mounting said one part of said telescopic joint on said support,` another element forming a complementary part of said telescopic joint and having an internal passage in axial alinement with said screw threaded portion, a connecting element extend-- ing through said internal passage and cooperatively engaging said threaded portion of said one joint part and a portion of said complementary joint part for releasably securing said joint parts against axial separation from each other, and means for rotatably mounting said wheel in axially fixed position on said complementary joint part.

4. A device for detachably mounting a wheel on a support, comprising, in combination, a stub axle having a hollow spindle portion and a hollow shank portion, bearing means for rotatably mounting said wheel on said spindle portion, socket means associated with said support and cooperating with sai-d shank portion to detachably mount said stub axle on said support in load transmitting relation thereto and for axial withdrawal therefrom, a connecting element extending through said hollow spindle and shank portions and having a portion cooperating with said spindle portion and another portion releasably cooperating with said socket means for detachably securing said stub axle against said axial withdrawal from said socket means.

5. A device for detachably mounting a wheel on a support, comprising in combination, a socket element rigidly connectedwith said support, a stub axle having a hollow shank portion axially slidable within said socket element and aA hollow spindle portion extending; from saidA shank portion and supportingly-c-,onnectedl with said-wheel, and a bolt `element extending through said shank and spindle portions of saidl stub axle into threaded engagement with saidl socket element for detachablyfsecurifng; said stu-b axle within said socket element..

6; A device for detachaloly mounting a wheel on a support, comprising, in combina-trom a socket element connected withsaid support and having an; axially screw.,` threaded portion atv one end. thereof, a stub axle having a hollow spindle portion supportingly connected witlfsaid Wheel for rotation of the latter thereon and a hollow shank portion telescopically iittedl into saidsocketA element, a connecting. element extending through said hollow spindle and shank portions and having radially enlarged: portions axially engageable, respectively, with said spindlev and shank portions uponV axial displacement off-said connecting elementrelative to said stuby axle, and a screw thread formed on said connecting element cooperatively engaging said Athreaded portion of said socket element to` provide for said axial displacement of said connectingelement upon rotation thereof in opposite directions.

7. A device for detachably mounting a wheel on a support, comprising, in combination, a socket element connected with said support and having an axially screw'threadedl portion at one end thereof, a stub axle having a hollow spindle p ortion supportingly connected with Isaid wheel for rotation of the latterthereon and a hollow Vshank portion telescopically fitted into said socket element,. and a.y connecting element extending through said hollow spindle and shank portions and having a radially enlarged' head portion and a radially enlarged screw threaded portion axially engageable, respectively, with said spindle and shank portions, upon axial displacement, of said connecting element relativeY to said stubl axle in opposite directions, said' screw threaded por.- tion of said connecting element cooperatively engaging said threaded portion of said socket element to provide for said axial displacement of said connecting element upon rotation thereof in opposite directions.

8. A device for detachably mounting a wheel on a support, comprising, in combination, a socket element connected with said support and having an axially tapered seat at one end thereof and an axially screw thread portion at its other end, a stub axle having a hollow spindle portion supportingly connected with said wheel for rotation of the latter thereon and a hollow shank portion in axial alinement with said spindle portion, said shank portion being telescopically fitted into said socket element and having an axially tapered shoulder engageable with said seat, and a connecting element extending through said hollow spindle and shank portions and having a radially enlarged head portion and a radially enlarged screw threaded portion engageable, respectively, with said spindle and shank portions upon axial displacement of said connecting element relative to said stub axle in opposite directions, said screw threaded portion of said connecting element cooperatively engaging said threaded portion of said socket element to provide for said axial displacement of said connecting element upon rotation thereof in opposite directions. I

9. .A device for detachably mounting a Wheel on a support, comprising, in combination, a socket element forming the outer part of a telescopic joint, an axle element forming a complementary inner part of said telescopic joint and having an axial passage therethrough, means including a connecting element extending through said passage and having a portion cooperating with said axle element and another portion releasably cooperating with said socket element for securing said socket and axle elements in axially xed relation to each other, means for mounting one of said telescopic joint parts on said support, and means for mounting said wheel on the other of said telescopic joint parts.

10. A device for detachably mounting a wheel on a support, comprising, in combination, a socket element `forming the outer part of a telescopic joint, an axle element forming a complementary inner part of said telescopic joint and abuttable axially with said socket element upon contraction of said telecsopic joint, a screw element rotatable relative to said inner and outer joint parts on an axis extending longitudinally of said telescopic joint and cooperating with said inner and outer parts of the latter to contract said telescopic joint upon rotation of said screw element in one direction, abutment means engageable by and cooperating with said screw element to expand said telescopic joint upon rotation of said screw element in the opposite direction, means for mounting one of said telescopic joint parts on said support, and means for mounting said wheel on the other of said telescopic joint parts.

11. A device for detachably mounting a wheel on a support, comprising, in combination, a socket element forming the outer part of a telescopic joint, an axle element forming a complementary inner part of said telescopic joint and abuttable axially with said socket element upon contraction of said telescopic joint, a connecting element rotatable relative to said inner joint part and having a screw threaded connection with said outer joint part on an axis extending longitudinally of said telescopic joint, abutment means associated with said connecting element and cooperable 'with said inner joint part to contract said telescopic joint upon rotation of said connecting element in one direction, and to expand said telescopic joint upon rotation of said connecting element in the opposite direction, means for mounting one of said telescopic joint parts on said support, and means for mounting said wheel on the other of said telescopic joint parts.

12. A device for detachably mounting a wheel on a support, comprising, in combination, a socket element forming the outer part of a telescopic joint, an axle element forming a complementary inner part of said telescopic joint and abuttable axially with said socket element upon contraction of said telescopic joint, a connecting element rotatable relative to said inner joint part and having an externally screw threaded portion for cooperation with an internally screw threaded portion of said outer joint part on an axis extending longitudinally of said telescopic joint, abutment means associated with said connecting element and cooperable with said inner joint part to contract said telescopic joint upon rotation of said connecting element in one direction and to expand said telescopic joint upon rotation of said connecting element in the opposite dlrection, means for mounting one of said telescopic joint parts on said support, and means for mounting said wheel on the other of said telescopic joint parts.

CHARLES T. OHARROW.

REFERENCES CITED y The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 883,258 Tolle Mar. 31, 1908 1,108,169 Haynes Aug. 25, 1914 1,370,611 Shuilleton Mar. 8, 1921 1,661,815 Britt Mar. 6, 1928 2,024,423 Brunetti Dec. 17, 1935 2,186,060 Batey et al. Jan. 9, 1940 2,275,302 Magnuson Mar. 3, 1942 

